Snap-switch handle



F. P. GATES. SNAP SWITCH HANDLE.

' APPLICATION FILED JULY 1. I916.

mamas Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

v a ED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRE DERIC P. GATES, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE ARROWELECTRIC COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON-SNAP-SWITCH HANDLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10, 1920.

Application filed July 1, 1916. Serial No. 107,099.

invented a certain new and useful Improve ment in Snap-Switch Handles,of which the piece. It is desirable in certain installations tofollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to'snap switches and particularly to the operatingthumb piece therefor, the object of my invention being to provide aninexpensive and efficient operating thumb piece adapted to bepermanently secured upon the switch spindle.

In the accompanyin drawings,

Figure l is a plan 0 a snap switch showing a thumb piece in which myinvention is embodied;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same partially broken away; and

.Flg. 3 is an inverted plan of the thumb have a thumb piece for the snapswitch permanently secured to the operating spindle of the switchmechanism instead of merely screwed thereon as is the common practice.

The present invention provides a simple and inexpensive construction bywhich this may be accomplished. The switch here shown is of common typecomprising an in sulating base 10' upon which the switch mechanism (notshown) is mounted and inclosed by a suitable metallic casing 11. Theswitch mechanism isoperated by the switch spindle 12 around which iscoiled the switch spring 13. The usual upward extension of the spindle12 is provided, as customary, with a threaded area 14:, but in thepresent construction this area is sheared on opposite sides to affordflats 15. The switch handle .16 has at its inner end a boss here formedeling with relation to the handle 16 by flats 19 on the outer facesthereof which are in contact with the molded body ofthe handle. Recessesin the form of a cross slot 20 at the inner end of the ferrulereceivethe upturned end 21 of the switch'spring in whichever positionthe handle is assembled with relation to the switch spindle. A centralbore 22 extending through the handle affords. means for the insertiontherethrough of the locking thimble 23 which is internally tapped at 24to engage the threaded end of the switch spindle. 12. A cross slot 25 inthe head of the thimble 23 permits the latter to be screwed home bymeans of a screw driver. After the thimble 23 has been secured in placethe space above the latter is filled with aninsulating composition 26 ofany sort, such as wax, thus preventing access to the locking thimble 23and permanently securing the parts together.

Various modifications and details of construction will readily occur tothose skilled in the art without departing from what I claim as myinvention.

I claim as my 1nvent1on:

- 1. A thumb piece for a snap switch mech- 4 a-nism comprising abossadapted to be fit over a rotary switch spindle and mechanically engagingthe same and means for look? ing the same against relative rotation ofthe parts to said spindle to prevent separation of the parts.

2. A snap switch having a rotary actuating spindle with non-circularouter end, an actuating thumb piece having a boss with non-circular boreengaging said spindle to prevent relative rotation of the "parts andmeans for locking said thumb piece and spindle in assembled condition.

3. A snap switch" having a rotary actuating spindle with non-circularouter end, an

insulating thumb piece having a metallic boss with non-circular boreengaging said spindle to prevent relative rotation of the parts andmeans for locking said thumb piece and spindle in assembled condition.

4. A snap switch having a rotary actuating spindle with threaded outerend, flats on said outer end, a thumb piece having a boss with anaperture of non-circular contour engaging said flats to prevent relativerotation of the parts, and a locking thimble engaging said spindle tohold the parts in assembled position, together with means for coveringsaid thimbleto render the latter inaccessible, for the purposedescribed.

- 5. In a snap switch, a rotary switch spindle, 'a thumb piece having atits inner end a boss recessed to receive a member moving with thespindle and means for locking said thumb piece on the spindle, for thepurpose described. J

6. A thumb piece for a snap switch comprising an insulating body, anon-circular ferrule molded therein, and a non-circular bore for saidferrule adapted to fit over the non-circular end of a switch spindle.

7. A thumb piece for a snap switch comprisingan insulating body, anon-circular ferrule molded therein, and a non-circular bore for saidferrule adapted to fit over the non-circular end of a switch spindle,together with a recess in the exposed end of said ferrule to receive theend of aswitch .spring coiled on the switch spindle;

thimble being internally threaded to engage the end of the switchspindle projecting beyond said bushing, and insulating material fillingsaid piercing above the thimble to render the latter inaccessiblesubstantially as described.

9. A thumb piece for a switch spindle comprising an insulating buttonpierced in alinement with the spindle, and a bushing molded in saidbutton and having a noncircular bore through which the spindle passes inassembled position, a locking thimble located in the piercing of saidbutton and seated against said bushing, said thimble beinginternally-threaded to engage the end of the switch spindle projectingbeyond said bushing, and insulating material filling said piercing abovethe thimble to render the latter inaccessible substantially asdescribed, together with means associated with said bushing for engagingthe end of the switch spring coiled on the switch spindle.

10. A thumb piece for a switch spindle comprising an insulating body,associated means for engaging the switch spindle against relativerotation of the parts, looking means engaging the outer end of thespindle to hold said parts against separation.

11. A thumb piece for a switch spindle comprising an insulating body,associated means for engaging the switch spindle against relativerotation of the parts, locking means engaging the outer end of thespindle to hold said parts against separation, together with means forsealing said locking means against access.

12. A thumb piece for a switch spindle comprising an insulating body,associated means for engaging the switch spindle against relativerotation of the parts, and locking means passing through the outer endof the thumb piece and engaging the spindle to hold said parts againstseparation.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

